Indacaterol/glycopyrronium versus salmeterol/fluticasone in Asian patients with COPD at a high risk of exacerbations: results from the FLAME study

• Main Authors: Wedzicha JA, Zhong N, Ichinose M, Humphries M, Fogel R, Thach C, Patalano F, Banerji D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2017-01-01
• Series: International Journal of COPD
• Subjects: Asia; bronchodilator agents; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; exacerbations; indacaterol/glycopyrronium
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/indacaterolglycopyrronium-versus-salmeterolfluticasone-in-asian-patien-peer-reviewed-article-COPD

Jadwiga A Wedzicha,1 Nanshan Zhong,2 Masakazu Ichinose,3 Michael Humphries,4 Robert Fogel,5 Chau Thach,5 Francesco Patalano,6 Donald Banerji5 1National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK; 2State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; 4Beijing Novartis Pharma Co. Ltd., Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 5Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA; 6Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland Background: The FLAME study demonstrated that indacaterol/glycopyrronium (IND/GLY), the fixed-dose combination of a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA, IND) and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA, GLY), was superior to salmeterol/fluticasone combination (SFC) in preventing exacerbations in COPD patients with a high risk of exacerbations. In this study, we report a prespecified analysis of the efficacy and safety of IND/GLY versus SFC in Asian patients from the FLAME study.Patients and methods: Patients from Asian centers with moderate-to-very severe COPD and ≥1 exacerbation in the previous year from the 52-week, randomized FLAME study were included. IND/GLY was compared versus SFC for effects on exacerbations, lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC]), health status (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ]), rescue medication use, and safety.Results: A total of 510 Asian patients (IND/GLY, n=250 or SFC, n=260) were included. Compared to the overall FLAME population, the Asian cohort had more males, a shorter duration of COPD, fewer patients using inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) at screening, fewer current smokers, and more patients with very severe COPD. IND/GLY significantly reduced the rate of moderate/severe exacerbations (rate ratio: 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.58–0.97; P=0.027) and prolonged time to first moderate/severe exacerbation versus SFC (hazard ratio: 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.59–1.01; P=0.055). Predose trough FEV1 and FVC significantly improved in Asian patients (P<0.001). IND/GLY improved SGRQ for COPD (SGRQ-C score; P=0.006) and reduced rescue medication use (P=0.058) at week 52. Pneumonia incidence was 3.6% with IND/GLY and 7.7% with SFC (P=0.046).Conclusion: In exacerbating Asian COPD patients, IND/GLY was more effective than SFC. Keywords: Asia, bronchodilator agents, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, exacerbations, indacaterol/glycopyrronium